24 May 2024, 10:04Sanjo Jeffrey

Stokey church Possibilities Day highlights deaf community and inclusion

It was a high day in Stoke Newington Seventh-day Adventist Church (Stokey) on 20th April 2024, as the Possibility Ministry Department observed the theme ‘It is possible’ in a whole-day inclusive experience for the visitors and members.

Our guest speaker, Pastor Amos Mitchell’s sermon resonated with the congregation as he encouraged us to:

embrace the unique qualities of others, see everyone’s real value inside instead of fixating on the outward appearance, value others because they are fearfully and wonderfully made and to show respect for others regardless of age, gender, colour, looks and position.

The department continued its promotion and emphasis on inclusion with a special focus on the Deaf community and their first language. The children and the church were taught to sign John 3:16 in British Sign Language (BSL) during the Divine Service. Furthermore, during the afternoon youth programme, they were taught the BSL alphabet as a part of a mini BSL Bible finger spellathon.

Throughout the day we were blessed with beautiful, soul-stirring music from Keisha Jennings, Penha Westmore, Janet and Keisha, and Assurance.

We concluded a beautiful day with an exploration of mental health by speaking with Joden Joseph, a trainee Integrative Psychotherapist.

The vision of the department for the church is that we continue to develop as an inclusive church so that whatever the needs are of those who come in search of Jesus, we will be able to meet them because ‘it is possible’.

Keep us in your prayers as we

Teach the church the BSL alphabet, simple signs and Bible verses so that we will be confident in basic communication with anyone in the Deaf Community Explore the opportunity of being a hub for information, awareness and a change in the approach to mental health and the black community.

Indeed, ‘It is possible’ for with God all things are possible.

Next month, May 2024, the department celebrates 4 years of its social media platform ‘It is possible Tuesdays with Sanjo’ on Youtube and we say to God be the glory.

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